Public Education Matters

History's unsung heroes have been getting their long-overdue moments in the spotlight in Ben Purdy's Rocky River Middle School classroom, thanks to a totally made-up holiday that has delivered very real results by getting students excited about learning social studies. On this episode, the teacher who invented a day… Read more

Growing up in a neighborhood known as "Drug City USA," Judge Marilyn Zayas never imagined she would one day run for Ohio’s highest court. In this episode, the OEA member-recommended State Supreme Court candidate shares how the power of education and a belief in opportunity and fairness helped shape her journey, and… Read more

What happens in Congress makes a big impact on Ohio's public school students and educators, and when Rep. Greg Landsman is re-elected to represent the people of Ohio's 1st Congressional District, he has big plans for ensuring Ohio's public school students and educators can get what they need to succeed. The… Read more

Every student deserves to walk into school with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to learn. In this episode, Chardon High School teacher Kelly DiCato shares the story of the Chardon Care Closet and the community effort that is changing lives one backpack, toothbrush, notebook, and tube of chap stick at a… Read more

What happens when one of the key legislative champions behind the Fair School Funding Plan sets his sights on statewide office? In this episode, OEA member-recommended candidate Jay Edwards reflects on his record of fighting for public schools in the Ohio legislature and explains how, as Ohio's next state treasurer,… Read more

Ohio is now spending more than $1 billion in public taxpayer dollars each year on private school vouchers, but how much do we really know about where that money goes and whether it delivers any real results? In this episode, State Sen. Kent Smith (D-21st District) and State Sen. Bill Blessing (R-8th District) discuss… Read more

***This is a special video and audio episode of this podcast - The full episode video is available at the bottom of these show notes or by clicking here.*** When it comes to public education and workers' rights, there is a clear choice in the race for Ohio's next governor. While Vivek Ramaswamy has repeatedly said he… Read more

As the new school year gets underway, Ohio's educators are renewing their focus on delivering on the promise of the great public schools our students deserve. So much of that - for better or for worse - hinges on what happens at the ballot box in November. Ohio Education Association President Jeff Wensing kicks off… Read more

OEA Locals are not one-size-fits all franchises, like chain restaurant locations - Each Local faces unique circumstances, challenges, and opportunities. And, they each have different needs for support from the state organization. That's what OEA President Jeff Wensing has been hearing as he's talked to members across… Read more

OEA Locals can amplify the impact of their members' dues dollars through OEA grant programs - especially now, with the new Local Capacity Grants that are available just for completing a Local Capacity Toolkit assessment. The Tallmadge Teachers Association let the needs identified in that self-assessment drive their… Read more

Tiffin Columbian High School teacher Chris Monsour is the first person to tell you he never thought he'd be a teacher. Now, 27 years later, he's the Ohio Teacher of the Year. In that role, he has spent the 2025-2026 school year traveling around the state and the country, representing Ohio's public school educators,… Read more

Although we're heading into the final weeks of the school year, learning should never stop. OEA members have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve their practice for their students, and build their skills and relationships at this year's OEA Summer Leadership Academy June 22-24 in Columbus. In this… Read more

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8 this year, and across the country, we are celebrating the amazing educators who make a big difference for their students every day. This Teacher Appreciation Week, the host of this podcast is showing her appreciation for one educator in particular: Dr. Steve Kucinski, the high… Read more

Ohio's public schools are facing an existential threat. If a measure to eliminate property taxes in Ohio makes it to the ballot and passes this fall, the results would be catastrophic for all of our public schools, students, communities, and local economies. Schools would close and consolidate, class sizes would… Read more

Public education is not partisan, but it is political. Politicians in the statehouse make decisions that impact Ohio's public school classrooms every day. That's why it is so important that our lawmakers hear directly from the educators who know what these policy decisions mean in our schools. Trotwood Madison… Read more

OEA's grant programs empower Local associations to do incredible things for educators, students, and their communities. The Twinsburg Education Association has taken those opportunities and put that funding to work to build engagement and support. In this episode, we hear from 14 members of the TEA Grant Committee -… Read more

Janaya Foster used to hate afternoons in her elementary school classroom in Columbus. Too often, something would happen during lunch and recess that would leave students distracted or distressed. But, bringing yoga and other mindfulness tools into her classroom - along with rewards like treats from her grant-funded… Read more

Vouchers are 'the new kid on the block' for public education threats, but the executive director of the Network for Public Education says while everyone's eyes are on vouchers, harmful charter school legislation has continued to pass nationwide, taking those publicly-funded schools farther and farther from the promise… Read more

Student loans are a fact of life for many educators who relied on that support to make their education career path possible, or who are now on Parent Plus loans to help their own children achieve their college and career dreams. But, so much has changed with the federal student loan programs over the last year, it can… Read more

Ohio Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) knows if you're not at the table, you get the scraps. After a 30-year career in a public school classroom, he's now at the table in the General Assembly, serving as the Ranking Member on the House Education Committee. He joins us for this episode for a deeper dive into House… Read more

David Grimes wears many hats. By day, he's a middle school science teacher in Westerville. He's also a leader in his local union and has spent the last two years as a community leader serving on Westerville's city council. In 2026, he added Westerville Mayor to that list. In this episode, he takes a look back at some… Read more

As Ohio continues to spend more than $1 billion each year of public taxpayer money on unaccountable private school voucher schemes, more than 325 Ohio school districts are standing together in the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit to force the state to stop cutting those checks. In June 2025, a Franklin County Common Pleas… Read more

The hundreds of Ohio Education Association locals across the state come in all sizes, ranging from 4,000+ members in big Locals like the Columbus Education Association to just eight members in the Bay Individual/Small Group Instruction Teachers Association (BISGITA), which represents 8 of the 9 hourly certified… Read more

She was the Ridgewood High School band director. He was a football coach for the Riverview High School team. She dropped her papers in the end zone. He helped pick them up. She eventually got his friend - the band director for Riverview - to have him finally call her to ask for a date. That was beginning of Bill and… Read more

EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded and published before allegations came to light accusing Cesar Chavez of sexually abusing several women and girls, including Dolores Huertes, who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Chavez. More information and reactions to the allegations, including a… Read more

Ohio's public schools are safe, welcoming learning environments for students of all backgrounds and abilities. But, only five decades ago, there was no guarantee that they could attend school or receive support to help them reach their full potential. That changed in late-1975 when the law that would become the… Read more

Educators often get a front row seat to see their students realizing their potential. Those lightbulb moments when a new concept clicks are what a lot of educators say keep them going. Intervention Specialist Elena North and Occupational Therapist Maddy Schnabel recently got a front row seat to see their student, Cy,… Read more

In an education landscape that forces educators to prioritize getting kids to pass standardized tests, students who are already performing above grade level can easily be overlooked. But, Warrensville Education Association member Briana McDonald says we have to do better for those gifted students. In this episode, she… Read more

In Ohio, roughly one in four students is chronically absent—missing 10 percent or more of the school year. Behind those numbers are complex challenges that go beyond the classroom, and the solutions are often found outside the classroom, too. In this episode, Communities In Schools of Ohio CEO Adero Robinson discusses… Read more

OEA's grant programs put resources into the hands of members and empower Local associations to do amazing things for educators, students, and their communities. That's why OEA Secretary-Treasurer Rob McFee says they're one of his favorite parts of his job. Thanks to a member-driven push, the OEA Local Affiliate Grant… Read more

Amy Boros and Shari Insley teach middle school science in different parts of the state, but they share a passion for bringing the real world into their classrooms for their students. Over the summer, the Perrysburg Education Association member and the North Olmsted Education Association member shared grant funding to… Read more

When Dan Greenberg began his term as OEA Vice President in July, he faced a learning curve as he started to learn the ropes in his new role. But, while he was new to his office in the OEA HQ building in Columbus, he was no stranger to union leadership. In this episode of the podcast, Dan shares his thoughts about how… Read more

On December 1, 2024, as Ashtabula Area City Schools educators and students were out on Thanksgiving break, five and a half feet of snow covered Lakeside High School, causing the roof to collapse. One year later, the Lakeside school community is still waiting for a path forward to begin rebuilding. As the Thanksgiving… Read more

Kelsie Bullock is a small-town teacher making a big impact - and proving that every student deserves to belong. A few years ago, she started a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Club for her Morgan County high school students. Now, as political attacks threaten programs like hers, Bullock and her students are standing… Read more

Ironton Education Association President Daniel Murphy and his fellow educators in their rural community live in a deep red part of Ohio - Donald Trump won 75% of the vote in Lawrence County in 2024. But Murphy says partisan labels mean nothing when it comes to making sure rural students' needs are met. In this… Read more

When Ohio lawmakers began signaling their intention to break their promise to finish fully and fairly funding our public schools in the latest state budget, a lot of Ohioans were left feeling disappointed and downtrodden. Jessica Harper was left feeling mad. The Jackson City Education Association President turned that… Read more

As Columbus Education Association member Shanette Strickland puts it: "If you can manage 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, adults are no problem." Educators have many transferrable skills needed to be effective leaders in their local city governments. Strickland, who is currently the Reynoldsburg City Council President and… Read more

After years of refusing to have the state pay its fair share of the cost of running Ohio's public schools and forcing local property tax payers to carry a bigger load to make up the difference, Ohio lawmakers are pushing a number of property tax changes that could slash revenues for school districts with devastating… Read more

For years, the Ohio legislature has pushed to have the state pay a smaller and smaller share of the cost of running Ohio's public schools, placing a bigger and bigger burden on local property taxpayers to make up the difference. Now, Ohio lawmakers are pushing a whole raft of property tax reform bills, many with… Read more

Whether they're learning Spanish, French, German, or any other language, World Language programs open up doors for Ohio's public school students every day. Unfortunately, World Languages educators have to constantly fight back against attacks on their programs as they fight for the opportunities their students need.… Read more

Educators who are in their second decade in the profession are facing burnout at alarming rates - 66% report that they're considering leaving their careers. Many feel that their needs as experienced professionals aren't being met and their voices aren't being heard. Building off the success of OEA's Ohio's New… Read more

Public education is not partisan, but it is political. What happens at the statehouse in Columbus makes a huge impact on what happens in our classrooms every day. That's why the OEA Ohio's New Educators (ONE) group is working to make sure educators have a seat at the table with lawmakers who are making education… Read more

Ohio's educators are feeling burnt out in big numbers, and a lot of them report worsening behavior issues as one of the big reasons. Brittany Myers, an intervention specialist in Marietta, sees that a lot with her colleagues who need support to manage student behavior issues. Myers is able to use her skills as a Board… Read more

In this jampacked episode, we spotlight three important dates: 10/4, 10/6, and 8/15. October 4, 2025, is OEA's Public Education Matters Day celebration at Kings Island and Cedar Point - We have what you need to know to join. October 6th is the voter registration deadline in Ohio this year - We have more on resources… Read more

In his first weeks in office as the Ohio Education Association's new president, Jeff Wensing has faced everything from the Ohio House attempting to override the governor's vetoes on the most damaging property tax provisions in the new state budget to questions about what the legislature's moves to silence the voices… Read more

After 34 years in public education, Scott DiMauro is retiring from teaching when his second term as OEA President ends in July. As he prepares to finish that chapter in his life and reflecting on the big moments and lessons learned from his years in leadership and the classroom, Scott is also looking ahead to the… Read more

From the Trump administration's 'skinny budget' that aims to cut $12 billion from the US Department of Education to the latest version of the state budget which underfunds Ohio's public schools by $2.75 billion in the next two years, threats at the federal and state levels make it more important now than ever the… Read more

Recently named the High School Teacher of the Year by her local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the wider VFW district, and the state VFW organization under the VFW's Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Program, Celina Education Association member Alicia Ball is dedicated to teaching her students be good… Read more

Books that feature diverse voices - from diverse characters and diverse authors - help students discover their own voices and write themselves into the history books of tomorrow. Across Ohio, educators are using diverse literature to prompt important discussion, create welcoming learning environments, and help young… Read more

When the Association for Cuyahoga County Employees for Special Students (ACCESS) sat down at the bargaining table a few years ago, they were told, 'if you don't like it here, you can leave.' In that moment, ACCESS leaders said, 'if we don't like it here, we can make it better.' And that's what they did - nearly going… Read more

As the demand for Career Tech education continues to grow in Ohio, Career Tech programs continue to struggle to attract and retain educators to serve students because of problems with the way most salary schedules are structured. Career Tech educators often have years or decades of prior experience in the private… Read more

Union membership empowers educators to improve their lives and advocate for themselves and their students to ensure Ohio's learners have the supports and resources they need to succeed. Now, thanks to a partnership between NEA Member Benefits and Edvance, OEA membership has extra value - with access to up to 50… Read more

Ohio educators want professional development opportunities that give them the tools to be the best educators possible for their students. But, too often, school districts prescribe PD that doesn't feel like a valuable use of anyone's time. Ohio's Educator Standards Board set out to change that by making the state's… Read more

Mason High School intervention specialist Hakim Oliver believes relationships are the basis of who we are. He created his multi-session Building Bridges program to help bring people together by helping them share their own stories and learn from the stories of others. Now, he has written a book to share those lessons… Read more

Almost 90% of Ohio's children - in big cities, small towns, and rural communities - grow up, learn, and dream at one of our public schools. But, House Bill 96, as introduced with the governor's plan for the next state budget, doesn't use updated costs in the Fair School Funding Plan formula calculations, leaving the… Read more

Eight years ago, Chardon Education Association member Dan Heintz was feeling distressed by what was happening in federal politics, when he heard someone ask Michelle Obama, 'What do we do now?' She responded, "We do more," and Heintz realized he could do more by running for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights… Read more

The 126 members of the Akron Association of Classified Personnel - one of five unions representing educators in Akron - have their work cut out for them when it comes to overcoming challenges in their district and community. But, they understand the power of standing together. And, they're willing to try new… Read more

When students have access to music education in their schools -- taught by licensed music educators -- the impact on their lives can be huge, as they learn skills that serve them far beyond the four walls of their music classrooms. In fact, music in our schools is so important, March has been designated as Music in… Read more

Despite bipartisan opposition, Senate Bill 1 is being fast-tracked in the Ohio General Assembly. The re-introduced version of Senate Bill 83, known by many as the Ohio Higher Education Destruction Act, micromanages higher education classrooms and threatens academic freedom on Ohio's public university and college… Read more

The Ohio Education Association is made up of about 750 Local associations across the state - each with its own elected leaders. But, when it comes to the prospect of stepping into Local leadership, some potential Local presidents may not even know where they would begin. As the presidents of the Trotwood Madison… Read more

What do growing enthusiasm for a hog raffle and a quest for better inter-union communication have in common? These are two of the many items on April Troup's wish list as she continues to make her mark as president of the Norwayne Educational Support Professionals local. Troup, who is in her second year of her… Read more

From Diane Ravitch to 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell - to a wide range of public school advocates and leaders in between - the Network for Public Education and Network for Public Education Action's 2025 national conference on April 5th and 6th in Columbus will bring together some of the biggest players… Read more

Whether you live in the heart of one of Ohio's big cities or in the rolling hills of Appalachia - or anywhere in between - what happens in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus make a huge difference in your life and what happens in our public school classrooms every day. That's why it's so important to have pro-public… Read more

Marti Franks has had a front row seat to witness and be part of union history, whether that was when she helped form the first union for Catholic school teachers in Michigan, when she became part of OEA's landmark work to ensure what are now known as instructional coaches were paid fairly as the professional educators… Read more

As chair of OEA's Aspiring Educators division, Kent State University student Kyndal Mickel is a staunch advocate for the needs of other future educators. She's also passionate about making sure she can effectively meet the needs of neurodivergent learners when she becomes an early childhood educator after graduation.… Read more

A lot of people have a lot to learn about what Career Tech Education is and the amazing opportunities it offers for students in Ohio, whether they're pursuing paths to careers, college, or the military. In this episode, the president of the Greene County Career Center Education Association gives us an education on CTE… Read more

2024 marks 40 years since Ohio's collective bargaining law took effect. Before that, public employees, including educators, could face jail time for going on strike, and the so-called professional agreements they had been able to negotiate with school districts didn't carry much weight. All of that changed with a… Read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like MagicSchoolAI, ChatGPT, and others can serve important roles as both a teacher's assistant and a student's personal tutor, but there are important issues like privacy laws that must be considered. Those are just a few of the takeaways from a recent "ONE Beyond the Classroom"… Read more

Senate Bill 295, which is being rushed through the Ohio General Assembly in the final days of Lame Duck, represents a state overreach that punishes communities for their poverty and hurts public school students and educators. Ohio educators must act now to help our lawmakers understand why it must be stopped. OEA's… Read more

Twinsburg High School teacher Daneé Pinckney says she knew she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a small child, but it wasn't that long ago that she found herself at a burnout point in her career and was considering leaving the profession. Starting an African American literature course for her students and… Read more

As the former chair of OEA's Aspiring Educators division and as the current co-president of the Kent Student Education Association, the AE chapter at Kent State, Audrey S. works hard to give college students a voice in their current path and in their future profession. Audrey shares her thoughts about what led to her… Read more

Rob McFee is no stranger to leadership. Before assuming his new role as Ohio Education Association Secretary-Treasurer in July, 2024, he served in every role from president of the Willoughby-Eastlake Education Association to NEOEA president to a member of the State Teachers Retirement System Board of Directors, and… Read more

Public school educators are called to the profession by a dedication to serving their students. And, before their careers in the classroom, quite a few teachers served their country in the US Military. But not every veteran-turned-teacher knows their years of service in the military counts toward years of service for… Read more

Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Ohio District 14) says being a voice for Ohio's educators in the statehouse has been one of the greatest honors of his life. The OEA-Retired member taught in Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools right up until went to the Ohio House after winning election in 2022. Now, as the OEA… Read more

The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 educators across the state, across a wide variety of professional paths and in every stage of their careers. One of the big benefits of membership is having OEA's assistance in bargaining the strongest contracts possible to create the best learning and working… Read more

Dr. Chris Orban, a physics professor at the Ohio State University, is running to represent District 6 on the State Board of Education because he wants to give educators a voice in policymaking in Ohio and work to return academic standards to the Board's purview. Dr. Orban has already played a big role in changing the… Read more

Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-District 90) draws on his experience growing up in Appalachia to guide his work in the Ohio House. In his work on the Primary and Secondary Education Committee, he has been proud to be a strong advocate for the needs of Ohio's rural public schools, especially. And, he has continued to stand up… Read more

About one in every 100 Ohioans is an OEA member. That is a lot of power to shape the future of public education in our state if we use our united voices at the ballot box to support the best pro-public education, pro-labor candidates on Election Day. Rep. Joe Miller is a former teacher who is steadfast in his support… Read more

Ohio's public school educators work hard for their money. It's no surprise that a lot of educators have said they're interested in learning more about how they can get the most bang for their buck to save more of what they've earned. In this episode, Guy Kendall-Freas delivers the deals, and shares the details about… Read more

Ohio's State Board of Education plays a critical role in the professional live of public school educators, and retired educator Rhonda Johnson says she is just the person to do the work of the Board, representing District 7. In this episode of Public Education Matters, Johnson tells us more about the journey that led… Read more

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has always been a champion for public education and educators. His daughter, Liz Brown, has had a front row seat to see her dad's leadership and commitment to Ohio's schools, workers, and families throughout her life. And, coming from a family of educators, Liz has carried on the… Read more

The Ohio Education Association's podcast is back for a new season, and back to shorter weekly episodes to make sure we're delivering the most impactful conversations to our listeners. In the Season 5 opener, OEA President Scott DiMauro provides valuable insights on the key issues facing public education in Ohio as the… Read more

Ohio's system for creating legislative districts is broken. When new maps are drawn every ten years, the party in power can manipulate the lines so they can hold onto their power by picking and choosing the voters they want to pack into their own districts, rather than letting Ohio's voters have a real voice in the… Read more

Westerville Education Association member Pablo Chignolli believes everyone has a story to tell. His story is shaped by his experiences after immigrating to the United States from Peru as a young adult. The hardship and discrimination he faced then led him on a journey to foster cultural awareness and inclusivity. Now,… Read more

As public employees, OEA members pay into - and count on - public pensions to provide an adequate retirement when they leave our public schools. But, as OEA Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill explains, the explosion of vouchers using public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition in Ohio is creating a very concerning… Read more

In Ohio, students learning in school districts that are separated by just a few miles may feel like they are living in separate worlds. But these students have far more in common with each other than they may think, and together, they can take on some of the toughest questions in our society. Olentangy Teachers… Read more

Our brains crave powerful narratives. Stories help us interpret new information and shape our understanding of the world. They can also motivate us into action. That's what makes storytelling such a powerful tool for organizing within a union. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Cordi and Katie Fuller continue to share their… Read more

Just about every educator has no doubt worked with "that kid." It's the student who can't sit still, who can't just focus, who seems to lash out when faced with even a minor perceived slight. Lindsay Rice was "that kid" and she knows all too well how challenging, and even sometimes traumatic, school can be for other… Read more

From its humble beginnings in a closet at an OEA Representative Assembly to its evolution into an important resource for all educators across Ohio, there's a lot you probably don't know about the Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals, or OASNP. In this episode, OASNP leaders Jené Wilson and Nikki Nadasky… Read more

Ohio's Primary Election Day is March 19, 2024, and across Ohio, voters will be deciding everything from primary races for state legislative seats to school levies. The presidential primary, though, is usually what makes the headlines. And, at the upcoming Republican National Convention and Democratic National… Read more

The General Assembly's recent track record on public education issues - including efforts to attack honest education, create universal voucher schemes, and remove accountability measures for the state's charter schools - have earned Ohio a dubious distinction: We are near the bottom of the list of states when it comes… Read more

Educators need to have a seat at the table when policy decisions are being made, whether that's in their local community or in our statehouse in Columbus. But, for many educators considering a run for public office, it may be difficult to know where to begin. That's where NEA's See Educators Run program comes in. On… Read more

Every day, it takes a whole team of educators to help Ohio's public school students succeed, and Education Support Professionals (ESPs) are a vital part of that team. On this episode of Public Education Matters, we hear from three ESP leaders about the challenges faced by their ESP colleagues and the value of union… Read more

Ohio adopted a package of laws in 2021 to strengthen supports for students with dyslexia through early screening and interventions and professional development to help educator help students with dyslexia thrive. But, as Ohio's dyslexia policy rollout continues in the 2023-2024 school year, some educators are… Read more

Marietta Education Association member Alex Myers is on a mission to make sure every child can get the benefits of great physical education classes in welcoming environments that embrace differences in kids’ abilities, and he wants to make sure educators have training about how to adapt their phys. ed. lessons to meet… Read more

From addressing issues with chronic absenteeism and classroom behavior problems to help students achieve their full potential and plan for their futures, family engagement with educators is crucial. In this episode of Public Education Matters, the director of the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at the Ohio… Read more

Ohio's public school educators are called to the profession by an unwavering commitment to student success. But not every person in Ohio's public school classrooms now may have felt that calling at the beginning of their career arc. On this episode of Public Education Matters, we hear from 2024 Ohio Teacher of the… Read more

Across Ohio, educators are contending with growing caseloads of English Learners (ELs) while fighting for the supports and resources they need to meet their students' needs. Members of the Ohio Education Association's EL Cadre are coming together to support each other in that fight and to advocate for the students… Read more

Public education is the foundation of a strong, functioning democracy, and as part of their education opportunities in Bay Village, Ohio, a group of 17- and 18-year-old students is doing their part to support the future of our democracy by becoming poll workers for Election Day on November 7th. The Bay High School… Read more

Local school boards play a critical role in setting the working and learning conditions in Ohio's classrooms every day. That's why it is critical to elect school board candidates who understand the real issues facing our schools and what our students need to learn grow and thrive. In this episode, we hear from two… Read more

Educators know mental health must be treated like physical health - it's a basic need that must be met for students to be able to successfully learn and grow in our schools. But, since even before the pandemic, there's been a growing mental health crisis among children. Dr. Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director for… Read more

A high-quality public education is the foundation of a strong democracy, and part of the work Ohio's public school educators do every day to support that democracy is helping students understand the importance of civic engagement through the elections process and how they can shape their communities. In this episode… Read more

As the new school year gets underway, the Ohio Education Association is unveiling a new sound and new format for its podcast, while reaffirming the unwavering commitment of its 120,000 members to creating the excellent public schools every child deserves. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro kicks off… Read more

Public Education Matters; it's the heart of it all. In the Season 3 finale, we reflect on the challenges and victories over the last school year as well as the opportunities that lie ahead as educators across the state join with parents and community leaders to show the world why Public Education Matters in Ohio. Ohio… Read more

The strength of Ohio's public schools is in the beautiful diversity of the nearly 1.7 million students they serve, and it is imperative that educators are empowered to provide culturally responsive education in inclusive environments to students of every race, background, gender, religion, and ability, so all students… Read more

Across the state, school districts have found it harder and harder to fill some positions as many educators leave the profession and fewer educators join the workforce in their place. After Manchester City Schools in Adams County could not get candidates to apply for a high school science teaching job, the… Read more

Education is often a family business, with generations of great educators following a parent's footsteps into the profession. For Columbus Education Association member Tara Johnson, education was certainly in her blood, but it wasn't her first career choice. For this final installment in the A Legacy of Education… Read more

On August 8, 2023, voters in Ohio will have a choice: Accept an amendment that destroys majority rule in Ohio and shreds the sacred principle of "one person, one vote" in our state or vote no on that measure to protect our freedom to make decisions that affect our lives and our futures by preserving the constitutional… Read more

On May 20, 2023, OEA is teaming up with the Hilliard Education Association, OEA-R, and many community partners in Hilliard to host a big book giveaway event for central Ohio students. Upwards of 9,000 books featuring diverse characters, written by diverse authors as part of this Read Across America event. HEA member… Read more

Throughout this school year, OEA has been recognizing exceptional educators who have been nominated by community members because of the impact they're making in students' lives. One of those Education Champions, Natasha Hurt-Hayes, is also making a big impact on how other educators are meeting students' needs by… Read more

As the Ohio General Assembly continues to debate the education-related measures that are proposed in this year's state budget, it is imperative that every stakeholder has a full understanding of the state of education funding in our state. Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan thinktank, just released a new… Read more

Ohioans are witnessing an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, while, at the same time, it is becoming clear that fewer Americans than ever have even a basic understanding of what happened during the Holocaust or why that is still pressingly relevant today. Effective Holocaust curriculum in our classrooms is… Read more

Introduced in the Ohio statehouse on March 14, 2023, Senate Bill 83 is sweeping legislation that hands down one-size-fits-all mandates to Ohio's colleges and universities that would do real, irreversible damage to the institutions that we rely on to train Ohioans to be productive members of our workforce, if it were… Read more

Ohio's educators are invested in their students and in their communities, and across the state, many of them are stepping into leadership roles to lead their communities to brighter futures. Sherry Vaught, an 8th grade teacher in Mansfield City Schools, is hoping to do just that this fall. She's running for Mansfield… Read more

On March 24, 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in the DeRolph v. State case that Ohio's school funding system was unconstitutional and the Ohio legislature must fix it. It has now been 26 years since that decision came down, meaning two entire 13 year education cycles of kids entering kindergarten through… Read more

On August 22, 2022, more than 4,000 Columbus teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists and other education professionals went out on strike to win the safe, fully resourced, properly maintained schools every Columbus student deserves. The Columbus Education Association's three-day strike resulted in a… Read more

Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million students of all races, backgrounds, genders, and abilities, but unfortunately, that diversity is not reflected in our education workforce. Ohio University's Patton College of Education launched a program to help change that by recruiting Black males to become education majors… Read more

Arthur Lard, the OEA endorsed candidate for the STRS Board in 2023, is a Portsmouth City Schools teacher with 31 years of experience in the classroom. He is dedicated to keeping our pensions solvent and secure. All Ohio’s educators deserve a pension they cannot outlive. As a member of the STRS Board he has been… Read more

School meals should be no different than textbooks or transportation services provided to all public school students; they are a basic need for children to learn in school. But, since the end of the pandemic-era programs that provided free school meals for all students in all districts, too many Ohio students are… Read more

On April 22, 2023, some of the best college basketball players from around Ohio will go head-to-head against some of the best athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country on the Ohio State Campus in Columbus. But the athleticism on display during that matchup is only a small part… Read more

The Ohio Children's Budget Coalition's Vision of Child Wellbeing - Season 3, Episode 23 As Ohio's lawmakers get to work molding the governor's budget outline into their plan for the state's finances for the next two years, dozens of Ohio organizations and agencies are working together to shape the conversation in the… Read more

Beyond the Headlines: Cleveland's Promise - Season 3, Episode 22 For an entire school year, two Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer reporters had unprecedented access to the classrooms, students, and educators in a Cleveland Metropolitan School District elementary school without publishing a word. What has followed is a… Read more

'Where there's a will, there's a way' - Canton Professional EA members create assistive device for student to play guitar - Season 3, Episode 21 Canton McKinley High School student Nehemiah Culver was born with cerebral palsy, limiting his range of motion in his hands. That did not stop him from dreaming that he could… Read more

The Columbia Giving Tree - Season 3, Episode 20 Columbia Local Education Association member Susie Dunn believes in working for the common good and making the community better by working together. She was recently named an Unsung Hero of the Labor Movement for her work taking care of the people in her Columbia Local… Read more

The ABCs of CEA's Larry Carey - Season 3, Episode 19 When he started his teaching career in a pre-K classroom, Columbus Education Association member Larry Carey started a mission to introduce robust vocabulary to his young students who otherwise would likely not have access to rich language opportunities. Although his… Read more

Bringing Special Needs Professionals Together - Season 3, Episode 18 The Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals (OASNP) has been a department in the Ohio Education Association since the early 1980's. The group has grown over the years to include those who serve people with disabilities both through county… Read more

Working to repeal GPO/WEP - Season 3, Episode 17 Educators who have worked private sector jobs before or during their time as public employees – and those who are counting on survivor benefits from a spouse who worked a private sector job – are getting shortchanged. The Government Pension Offset and Windfall… Read more

Remembering OEA Awards & Scholarships namesakes - Season 3, Episode 16 Every year, deserving OEA members receive awards and scholarship money to further the work of pioneering educators and OEA staffers who have come before them. But today's active educators may not know much about the people for whom those… Read more

A Legacy of Education: Jillian Majzan & Stephanie Hall - Season 3, Episode 15 As families gather for the holidays, we know there will be a wide variety of conversation topics. And, we know at least some families - where two or more generations are educators in Ohio's public schools - will be talking shop. In this… Read more

Standing Together for Public Education - Season 3, Episode 14 The Ohio Education Association is committed to fighting for great public schools, a strong democracy, racial, social and economic justice in our communities, and the freedom for our students to receive the full and honest education they deserve. We cannot… Read more

What's next for the NEXUS pipeline school funding? - Season 3, Episode 13 Let's be real: The topic of public utilities' property tax valuations probably doesn't sound like the most exciting thing in the world. But the ongoing questions around the property tax valuation for the NEXUS pipeline is having a huge impact on… Read more

Ohio Teacher of the Year Melissa Kmetz - Season 3, Episode 12 Third grade language arts teacher Melissa Kmetz will spend the next year shining the spotlight on Ohio's exceptional educators and our public schools as the 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year. She shares her thoughts on mandatory retention under the Third Grade… Read more

A Legacy of Education: Sandra Dowdy & Calista Altenburger - Season 3, Episode 11 Education is a family business for many of Ohio's dedicated teachers, education support professionals, and higher ed faculty members. In Part 2 of our special "A Legacy of Education" season, we meet a mother-daughter duo in Northwest Ohio… Read more

A Legacy of Education: The Jessens - Season 3, Episode 10 A passion for education seems to run in families, and it is not uncommon for Ohioans to follow their parent's footsteps into the education profession. In Part One of a new series on Education Matters, we're hearing from Vermillion High School teacher Rebecca… Read more

The Case Against Mandatory Retention Under the 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee - Season 3, Episode 9 Ohio lawmakers have the chance to correct a major flaw with the state's so-called Third Grade Reading Guarantee by ending the requirement that students who don't achieve a cut score on one high-stakes test be held back in… Read more

Supporting Diverse Educators - Season 3, Episode 8 Ohio's education workforce is made up of people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. This diversity is extremely valuable in our public school classrooms. But, too often, educators of color or those in the LGBTQ+ community don't… Read more

State Supreme Court Candidate Spotlight - Season 3, Episode 7 Ohio's lingering redistricting fight has clearly shown that who sits on the Ohio Supreme Court matters. And beyond redistricting, the Ohio Supreme Court justices also make important decisions on major issues that impact public education, educators and… Read more

Educators on the Ballot - Season 3, Episode 6 Decisions made in Columbus have an enormous impact on what happens in our classrooms every day. That's why it's so important to elect state leaders who understand the issues facing our public schools. On this episode, we hear from three… Read more

"The Kindness Machine" - Season 3, Episode 5 Kindness is an important skill to develop, but too often, we talk about it as an abstract concept without really explaining it in a way that a child can truly understand or put into practice in their lives. Leave it to a teacher to change that! Christina Dankert, a 2nd… Read more

Choosing the OEA Member-recommended Candidates - Season 3, Episode 4 Election Day is just weeks away and it is imperative that pro-public education candidates win their races at all levels. Barb Armour, a bus driver in Brunswick City Schools who sits on one of the OEA Fund District Screening Councils, explains how OEA… Read more

The Hard Choice to Walk Away - Season 3, Episode 3 Independence Middle School teacher Jill Wagner was making plans for the new school year when Gov. DeWine signed House Bill 99, gutting the training requirements for school staff to carry guns, and Wagner knew she'd had enough. She made the difficult decision to… Read more

Ohio Parents Trust Teachers - Season 3, Episode 2 Despite the very loud voices of extremist politicians who are calling for book bans and placing other controls on what Ohio's teachers can teach, it turns out that nearly all Ohio parents trust their children's teachers to provide age appropriate instruction and be… Read more

Celebrating Our Wins - Season 3, Episode 1 As the new school year gets underway, Ohio's educators are once again facing major challenges in our public schools. But there are also major reasons to celebrate, and to build on the momentum of those victories to create a better future for all of us. In the first episode of… Read more

2022 National Teacher of the Year: "We must be true to our students" - Season 2, Episode 34 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell says he's not the best teacher in the country, but it's clear the Oberlin High School teacher the best person to represent our educators and students at this moment in our country,… Read more

Breakfast & Beyond - Season 2, Episode 33 It is a fact: Hungry children struggle to learn. But making sure all students have access to adequate, nutritious meals takes innovation and collaboration. The Ohio School Breakfast Challenge recently recognized 22 Ohio districts who have embraced that mission, naming them… Read more

Avoiding the 'Super Teacher' Trap - Season 2, Episode 32 Ohio's educators are dedicated to serving their students, but too often, early career educators burn out and leave the profession after only a few years. Austintown Fitch High School teacher Jake Reid says he was on the path to becoming one of them because of… Read more

OEA Officers: 'We Hear You' - Season 2, Episode 31 This Teacher Appreciation Week, educators need more than just a pat on the back; they need respect and support. They need to be sure that everyone -- from the community members they serve to the state leaders making decisions about their day-to-day operations in the… Read more

Buckeye Local Backpay - Season 2, Episode 30 Imagine coming to an agreement on salary issues in contract negotiations only to find out later that someone had made a change that shortchanged every employee for months. That's what happened to the Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers' Association in Jefferson County, which… Read more

A School Librarian's Perspective on House Bill 616 - Season 2, Episode 29 House Bill 616, which was introduced in the Ohio Legislature in early April, combines the worst parts of House Bill 327's 'divisive concepts' prohibitions with Florida's so-called 'Don't Say Gay Law.' Courtney Johnson, a school librarian in… Read more

Candidate Conversation: John Cranley - Season 2, Episode 28 As the countdown to Election Day continues, Ohio Education Association members are asking the candidates for Ohio governor where they stand on public education issues. OEA has invited all of the declared gubernatorial candidates - both Democrats and… Read more

Candidate Conversation: Nan Whaley - Season 2, Episode 27 So much of what happens in Ohio's classrooms depends on who is leading the state as governor. That's why OEA has invited all of the declared candidates for Ohio governor - both Democrats and Republicans - to speak with Ohio's educators about where they stand on… Read more

“Celebrate Diversity: Read” – OEA-R Members continue Read Across America campaign - Season 2, Episode 26 As Ohio Education Association-Retired members often say, "Once an educator, always an educator." Even after they've ended their careers in the classroom, they're still helping students and Ohio's public schools.… Read more

H.B. 327's Threat to Higher Education & Beyond - Season 2, Episode 25 Ohio House Bill 327, the so-called "Divisive Concepts Bill," could have devastating consequences for Ohio's students, educators, and schools - K-12 and higher education alike. Royce Carpenter, an assistant professor at Columbus State Community… Read more

Recognizing Inspiring School Employees - Season 2, Episode 24 Education Support Professionals are the glue that holds our school communities together. They're the paraeducators, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, security professionals, and more who serve our students every day. And one… Read more

Survey Says...- Season 2, Episode 23 Educators across Ohio have had more and more duties added to their plates with very few items coming off their to-do lists. The result has been increasing burn out rates and plummeting morale. The Pickerington Education Association leadership put out a survey to members to get a… Read more

"Which Cape Will I Wear Today?" - Season 2, Episode 22 About 80% of students entering first grade report having high self-esteem, but that number plummets to just 20% by the time they enter fifth grade. Kiara Berry, a Hamilton Local Schools teacher, is on a mission to change that. She sat down to talk with us about… Read more

Honesty for Ohio Education: 'This is a 10-alarm fire' - Season 2, Episode 21 Most Ohioans believe all children deserve an honest and reflective education that allows them to learn critical thinking skills and become strong future leaders. But, as part of a nationally coordinated and funded effort to manufacture… Read more

STRS Myths vs. Facts - Season 2, Episode 20 Ohio's teachers pay into the State Teachers Retirement System - or STRS - throughout their careers to guarantee a reliable source of income when they leave their classrooms. The health of this pension system is vital to all active and retired teachers. Unfortunately, there… Read more

Policy Matters Ohio: 'Spend the American Rescue Plan money!' - Season 2, Episode 19 The federal government is giving Ohio schools $4.4 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act for things like hiring more educators and school counselors and for increasing pay to attract and retain the best teachers for our kids.… Read more

Allen East School Nurse: 'We're resilient, but we need resources' - Season 2, Episode 18 The entire Allen East school community has turned to David Pryer constantly over the last two years, both in his role as an award-winning school nurse and as co-president of his local education association. Sen. Sherrod Brown also… Read more

TikTok Real Talk - Season 2, Episode 17 Effective educators connect with their students where they are. Katie Peters, who teaches 10th & 12th grade English in Washington Local Schools in Toledo, has joined TikTok to do just that. One of her recent videos reflecting on the state of the world for educators right now… Read more

Columbus Teachers: 'No Heat, No Work' - Season 2, Episode 16 After Columbus Education Association members were ordered to work in classrooms without heat to deliver remote instruction to students who the district acknowledged could not safely learn in that building, those brave teachers exercised their legal right to… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Jennifer Harvey, middle school math teacher, Columbus City School's BlendEd K-8 program"After spending time in the Marines, raising 4 children, and deciding that nursing school was not for me (not a fan of sick people) I started my adventure in education. I have had the honor of… Read more

Featured Education Matters guests: Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Ryan is running for the U.S. Senate to cut Ohio workers in on the deal. A lifelong Ohioan who lives just a few miles from the house where he grew up in Niles, Tim has spent his career fighting for Ohio workers. He’s seen in his… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Daniel Grove, Bloom-Carroll Education Association President Connect with us: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA… Read more

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM: HERE’S WHAT’S CHANGED On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced major changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The new changes might help you if: You have federal student loans AND you work full-time for a school district, or… Read more

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM: HERE’S WHAT’S CHANGED On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced major changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The new changes might help you if: You have federal student loans AND you work full-time for a school district, or… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Tim Davis, Kenton Education Association Co-PresidentTim Davis is a teacher in his 26th year in music education, and in his 15th year with the Kenton City Schools. Tim currently serves as Co-President of the Kenton Education Association, as well as on the OEA State Board of Directors… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Michael LibecapSpringfield Education Association PresidentTeaches in the Springfield City School District's OnCourse virtual learning program Connect with us: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Malissa Thomas-St. Clair7th & 8th grade math teacher, Champion Middle School, Columbus Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children founderCentral Ohio Crimestoppers Civilian of the Year"I am a 46 year resident of the city of Columbus, Ohio. My heart is with this city. As a native resident I… Read more

Featured Education Matters guests: Jada Jackson, mentorJada Jackson is a Mathematics Instructional Coach at South High School in Columbus City Schools. She is currently in my 25th year of teaching. She is also a Faculty Representative in her building. Jackson has been married for 23 years and has two daughters, a… Read more

Featured Education Matters guests: Sophie Crawford, FPPA Organizing Committee MemberSophie Crawford has worked as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for Findlay City Schools since 2017. She was a teacher for 23 years in France for the French national Education, including 4 years as a principal. She moved to the… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Kurt Russell, Ohio Teacher of the YearKurt Russell is a veteran teacher at Oberlin High School in the Oberlin City Schools district who believes education can transform students’ lives. For the past twenty-five years, Russell has included cultural relevance in the curriculum for the… Read more

Featured Educational Service Center Candidate: Barry Alcock, retired educator, running for the Central Ohio ESC Board46 years in public education Classroom English teacher in middle school and high school Middle School Gifted Language Arts, Middle School Intervention and Inclusion Language Arts, Department Chair. High… Read more

Featured School Board Candidates: Jon Parker-Jones, Middle School Band Teacher in Upper Arlington, Running for Hilliard School BoardJon grew up near Dayton and was the first in his family to graduate college. He is proud to have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education at Ohio State University, and have… Read more

Featured Education Matters guest: Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association PresidentA high school social studies teacher from Worthington, Scott DiMauro was elected President of the OEA in 2019 after having served as vice president for six years. Over his 30-year career as an educator, Scott has worked to provide… Read more

ACTION ALERT: Urge your state lawmakers to support the Fair School Funding Plan now! SHOW US YOUR SUMMER OF FUN: OEA Members, submit your photos here. Featured Education Matters guest: Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association PresidentA high school social studies teacher from Worthington, Scott DiMauro was elected… Read more

SIGN THE PETITION | Tell Ohio's policymakers to fairly and fully fund public schools for Ohio's families now. No matter where they live or what they look like, all of Ohio’s kids deserve a public school that inspires their creativity, unlocks their potential, and nurtures their dreams. But for years, certain… Read more

Featured guest: Antoinette Miranda, State Board of Education Member - District 6Dr. Antoinette Miranda is Professor and Director of the School Psychology Program at The Ohio State University and holds the Casto Professorship in Inter-professional Education. She has spent well over 35 years in education both K-12 and… Read more

OEA MEMBERS | Click here to learn more about how you can get involved in OEA Educator Lobby Days on June 8 & 9, 2021. Featured guest: Jeff Wensing, Ohio Education Association Vice PresidentA high school math teacher from Parma, Ohio, prior to his election as OEA Vice President in Spring 2019, Jeff Wensing served as… Read more

Featured guest: Karen Wright, Ohio Education Association 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year Karen Wright has served as the Wellington High School Principal's Secretary in Wellington Exempted Village Schools in Lorain County for 30 years, spending the last 20 years as President of the Wellington Support… Read more

ACTION ALERT: Urge your state Senator to support the Fair School Funding Plan now! Featured Education Matters guest: Stephen Dyer, Director of Government Relations, Communications & Marketing, Ohio Education AssociationPrior to joining OEA, Stephen Dyer was the Education Policy Fellow at Innovation Ohio, a… Read more

To connect with a crisis counselor through the National Crisis Text Line in Ohio, text 4HOPE to 741 741. The Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices Wellness Wednesday: DeStress Disco Bash Wednesday, May 26 @ 6 p.m.Open to all OEA membersClick here to register… Read more

The Ohio Education Association has partnered with the Children's Hunger Alliance in support of the Breakfast in the Classroom program | Learn more here For more on some of the recent the Breakfast & Beyond District success stories, click here. Featured guests: Brenda Lemon, Logan Education Association PresidentA… Read more

Featured guest: Kara Jankowski, Dayton-area English Learner teacherKara Jankowski teaches 4th and 5th grade English learners in West Carrollton, Ohio, and is a member of West Carrollton Education Association. In her five years as a teacher, she has taught students from over 30 different countries speaking ten… Read more

Enter the Design Ohio's Future contest to redraw Ohio’s district maps OEA's contest is open to all Ohio middle schoolers, high schoolers, and OEA members. Categories: Most politically competitive | Fewest community splits | Most creativeDEADLINE UPDATE: Due to intense interest in the contest, the deadline for… Read more

READ THE BLOG POST | Check out Julie Holderbaum's Doing Whatever it Takes: A Changed Perspective post on Voices of Change here Featured guest: Julie Holderbaum, High School English Teacher, Minerva, OhioJulie Holderbaum has taught high school English for 25 years. She currently teaches 9th and 11th grade at Minerva… Read more

Featured guest: State Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville)State Representative Gayle Manning is currently serving her second term in the Ohio House of Representatives, after serving two four-year terms in the Ohio Senate where she was elected to the Leadership Team as Majority Whip. She represents the 55th Ohio… Read more

"These tests are just a snapshot of one day, of one way, of how they're doing on a certain test... The tests did not do what the tests were supposed to do." Featured guest: Jane Mitchell, retired teacherAfter a 40 year career, Jane Mitchell retired as an intervention specialist from Dublin City Schools in 2013. She… Read more

Featured guest: Jeff Wensing, Ohio Education Association Vice PresidentA high school math teacher from Parma, Ohio, prior to his election as OEA Vice President in Spring 2019, Jeff Wensing served as the President of the Parma Education Association and as the President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association.… Read more

"I just thought to myself, if I could just bottle this moment up, just to pull out on a rainy day to remember that joy -- [My students] have a way of inviting all of us into something really, really special." Featured guest: Chris Williams, MEDL, Intervention Specialist, Columbus City SchoolsCheck out Chris'… Read more

"The first DeRolph decision came down in 1997, so we've been all those decades without a funding formula. That's why I ran for the statehouse. A retired teacher, I saw the impacts of what was happening when things were getting cut and the damage it was doing to our students." "The idea was to develop a plan that was… Read more

New episodes are published every Thursday morning. Catch up on the full season so far: https://feeds.transistor.fm/education-matters Then, subscribe to Education Matters for more insightful conversations with the people who are shaping the education landscape in Ohio. Education Matters is available on Apple Podcasts,… Read more

Featured guest: Rob Niedermeyer, innovation teacher, Reynoldsburg City SchoolsThis is Mr. Niedermeyer’s eleventh year teaching. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Education from Ashland University. Niedermeyer developed the STEM Middle at Baldwin… Read more

"The understanding is it's the state's responsibility to set up a school system with proper funding that will meet the needs of all the kids across the state. We've got 610 school districts, which is a lot even for a state our size, which is 11 million people, and that creates two concerns about the funding formula -… Read more

"I appreciate being nominated, I appreciate being recognized, I appreciate the opportunity to earn the award, but I don’t think that I do things any different than any of the other school counselors, any of the other educators who work with students. I just want our students to succeed." - Taraja Shephard Allen,… Read more

"We truly did what we thought was right, and fought for what we thought was right." - Betsy Baker Featured guests: Betsy Baker, Gahanna Jefferson Education Association crisis spokespersonA proud Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools graduate, Betsy Baker has taught for nine years in the Gahanna Jefferson district in… Read more

Featured guest: Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association PresidentA high school social studies teacher from Worthington, Scott DiMauro was elected President of the OEA in 2019 after having served as vice president for six years. Over his 30-year career as an educator, Scott has worked to provide students the critical… Read more

Stay tuned for our first full episode - "Education in the Age of COVID-19" - launching January 28, 2021. About us: The Ohio Education Association represents more than 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and… Read more